2026 Rankings Update: Stock Risers in Top 20

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week our staff gave a fresh update to the class of 2026 rankings in Southern California. Below we break down those who raised their stock among the Top 20 players in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956471' first='Brannon' last='Martinsen'] | Mater Dei</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martinsen was already a member of the Top 10 in our original rankings for the class of 2026 but his strong sophomore year in the Trinity League made us confident in bumping him into the Top Five. The 6-foot-7 lefty is a versatile offensive player with a dribble, pass, shoot skill-set and a high basketball IQ. One thing that stands out about Martinsen is how hard he plays and how he's willing to do the little things that impact winning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956520' first='Brayden' last='Kyman'] | Santa Margarita</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kyman was just outside the Top 10 in our first go at the 2026 rankings but the 6-foot-8 wing/forward has firmly placed himself among the 10 best prospects in this region. Kyman is a skilled, smart and crafty player with a mature feel for the game. He can step out and knock down catch and shoot three's with deep range and has good feel, touch and footwork around the basket which allows him to score in post-up situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956483' first='Zachary' last='White'] | Sherman Oaks Notre Dame</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White Is a player whose energy, effort and toughness jump out every time we watch him play. His pop of athleticism, physically mature frame and willingness to initiate and play through contact make him a great off-ball piece on the offensive end of the floor. He's not afraid to slash and finish in traffic or crash the offensive glass for a second chance opportunity. White is also a highly versatile defender who can guard multiple positions at the high school level which helped his two-spot bump from No. 13 to No. 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2131807' first='Abdoul' last='Bare'] | St. Joseph</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seems like young big men always take longer to develop their skill-set and Bare has made some good leaps in various aspects of his game. The 6-foot-9 center jumped into the Top 20 at No. 17 in our latest update due to his overall feel for the game improving on both ends of the floor. Bare's hands, vertical explosiveness and physicality have made him a better interior finisher and, while he was always a viable rim protector because of his size, he's become more instinctual in contesting shots without fouling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956470' first='Chace' last='Holley'] | Lynwood</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holley bumped up one spot from No. 20 to No. 19 and though that's a minor rise, Holley has shown he has a chance to continue to move his way up in the 2026 class. The dynamic guard is an elite transition finisher whose body control and speed allow him to get downhill, remain under control, and finish through, over or around contact and rim protectors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2131782' first='James' last='Croy'] | Riverside Poly</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Croy is one of the best scorers and shooters in SoCal's 2026 class. His combination of catch and shoot and off-dribble consistency on his jumper to go along with his confidence pulling from deep make him a dangerous scoring threat with or without the ball in his hands. Croy jumped up three spots from No. 23 to No. 20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->